This rock carving, made from soapstone, was found in 1950 on a Danish beach, Horsens Fjord, dating back to 1000 CE. The character that is being depicted here is Loki. Loki, the Norse god of fire and mischief, a character from Norse mythology, or Scandinavian mythology. Here, the figure is identified as Loki because of his mouth. Because he was such a liar and a trickster, Loki's mouth is sewn shut. The process in which this piece was created; the rock is considered a hearth stone, the hole in the front was used for an entrance way for bellows, the bellows pushed the flame upward out of the top hole, the process was said to represent Loki as god of the flame. This particular piece can be found in the Moesgård Museum, Højberg, Denmark. I like this piece because the red (cut out part) really stands out. I like how it is based from the myths of Loki.
Moesgård Museum's website
(you may have to open this in Google Chrome so that you can translate the webpage) http://www.moesmus.dk/da/udstillinger/vikingemuseet/
Art History blog
Friday, November 22, 2013
Thursday, October 31, 2013
bronze boar zun
The bird standing on the boar's back could have been used as the handle for the zun's lid. The bird reminds me of the iconic oxpecker that stands on a rhino's back. Here's a picture of an oxpecker on a boar, this may have been the artists inspiration for making this piece.
I chose this piece because it has a some what animated look to it, it reminds me of Disney's, Timon and Pumba, except, it'd be Zazu and Pumba. The Asian culture has always been very fascinating to me. Asia is so diverse, and it's always interesting to find something new that they do differently, as compared to things we do here.
Friday, October 11, 2013
Isis
This Roman sculpture of Isis is from the first half of the 2nd century AD, but has been modeled after the Greek Isis from the 4th century BC. Made from both black and white marble this sculpture is very eye catching. Isis the worshiped as the goddess of motherhood, magic, and fertility, also known as the ideal mother, protector of the dead and goddess of children. (Roman Isis, 2nd century AD to the left)
As well as being known in Rome, Isis was
known in Egypt, but she was referred to
as Aset, wife of Osiris (god of the dead)
and mother of Horus (lord of the sky). On
her Egyptian headdress there is a throne,
making the pharaoh that sat upon the
throne her child. She has also been
associated with cow horns and a sun disk,
very similar to Hathor's headdress. (Egyptian painting of Isis to the right)


http://www.khm.at/en/visit/collections/collection-of-greek-and-roman-antiquities/
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Ra vs. Apep

Ra would travel through the underworld (the sky) during the night. Every morning before Ra's solar barque (boat) could come into daylight, Apep would try to strand Ra's barque by gorging the water of the underworld with his coils, acting as sand banks. But in all of Apep's efforts, Ra always prevailed, allowing the sun to rise again at dawn.
The cat (Ra) cuts open the belly of Apep, although after being cut open, diced, and bones being smashed, Apep would be revived at every nightfall. There were multiple paintings of cats cutting snakes found in Egypt, some of which, the eyes of the cat would have been gilded.
I picked the painting of the cat vs the snake because it has a side story of two gods,
as well, it tells one of the reasons why cats were so fascinated. Egypt has always brought such a fascination to me because
of it's many untold stories, mysteries, and because of their
architectural achievements.
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
The Khufu Pyramid

When the pyramids were first built, they were covered in Tura limestone, making the appearance white, rather than tan. At the top of the pyramids there would have been a golden cap. Because of the casing stones, rather than having steps, the pyramids would have been smooth and reflective.
I picked the Khufu pyramid because it's the largest and oldest pyramid, also, because Egypt has always brought such a fascination to me because of it's many untold stories, mysteries, and because of their architectural achievements.
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
The Police Box
Police often used the "police box" as a drop off, sort of a mini jail, until they could locate the criminal to a proper jail cell. They were also used for telephone calls before the creation of the cell phone. The police box, wasn't just a box for the police, it was also made for the public's use. Originally red, these tall structures are now commonly known to be blue.
(A plate I painted to depict the Tardis [from Doctor Who] flying in space)
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